Nicola and Laurence's Celtic Loving Laid Back and Elegant Staffordshire Wedding by Jess Yarwood

Happy Monday every one and how are you all? I am back from a mini break to Cornwall and feeling refreshed and ready for a busy few weeks ahead! I had a lovely time visiting my mum and generally slowing down and taking things easy! Today I am taking you off to Thorpe Garden which is a stunning botanical wedding venue in the heart of Staffordshire. Nicola & Laurence were married at the Cripps & co contemporary ceremony room and then held their wedding breakfast in the hand crafter wooden yurt. They whole day is a celebration of their Celtic roots, laid back with an elegant edge. Big thanks to Jess Yarwood for this delightful wedding.

How they met
We met at Lancaster University 9 years ago, we lived in adjacent rooms in halls. They say you should never ‘get’ with your flatmates, it never works out well’, but here we are 9 years later tying the not with the other residents of the same flats as our bridesmaids and groomsmen.

The proposal
Laurence proposed in the New Forest in the middle of the forest in a opening of the trees, no one around but wild ponies and our new puppy Jasper who was out on his first walk (this was the excuse for Laurence to get to the New Forest, a then 2 hour drive from home, we apparently wanted to remember Jasper’s first walk so had to go somewhere super special). The New Forest means a lot to Nicola as it is where I had spent many a family holiday. It also epitomised our love of the wilderness, wildlife and adventures.

How did you choose your photographer
We actually contacted another photographer first who politely replied back saying that he was already booked for our date, he did however recommend Jess who had apparently been the photographer for his wedding. We thought wow, this woman is the wedding photographer to the wedding photographers, she must be good, and how right we were!

Theme and colour scheme
We wanted it to reflect both our personalities, laid back but still glamorous, outdoorsy, wild, elegant and the love of a party. We also wanted to incorporate a lot of our Celtic roots, with Nicola coming from a Scottish family and Laurence from an Irish one. We included a bagpiper, thistles within all the flower arrangements and bouquets, celtic music and tartan among the guests and of course the Father of the Bride.

Are you going on a honeymoon?
No honeymoon for us right after as we have just moved into our very own first home a few weeks before the wedding. We are enjoying a week off work together having some lovely days out. We are currently planning our next adventure, we never lie on a beach or go ‘fancy’, it always involves us hiking, kayaking and experiencing different cultures.

Special moments
The energy on the dance floor was outstanding from the guests and the band! We wanted everyone to let their hair down and they certainly did! The emotions wrapped up in the ceremony for all to see.

Advice for other couples
Don’t overthink it, it is the people that make it! All the planning stress is absolutely worth it.